FAQ

Does the station ever give tours to groups and individuals?

KIXE-TV is always ready to give a tour to a group or individual. We only ask for a week or two advance notice. We also recommend that tours be given to persons in the fourth grade or older--in that younger children become quickly bored--as much of what there is to see is highly technical. Call Rob Keenan at (530) 243-5493 for more details.

How do I get an event on the Community Datebook?

KIXE-TV produces an area-wide "Community Datebook." To submit information on a local non-profit event, fax or Email us with the title, date, and time at least 3 weeks prior to the event.

Does KIXE make presentations to service clubs and organizations?

KIXE-TV makes numerous presentations throughout the year at various events throughout the Northstate. This may include taped previews of our upcoming programming or speeches on underwriting opportunities (for businesses) or the role of television in the lives of children. Also, our KIXE Ready To Learn Project Coordinator will be able to teach parents, day care centers, or other caregivers valuable child care skills as they relate to viewing KIXE programs. Call Rob Keenan at (530) 243-5493 for more details.

Why does KIXE repeat so many programs? or Why doesn't KIXE repeat programs more often?

Given that we are asked both questions often, it would seem KIXE-TV fulfills the prophecy that "You can't please all of the people, all of the time!" Perhaps the following will help to clear up some confusion:Because of their extreme popularity, KIXE-TV normally repeats the highly rated regular series NATURE, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, and NOVA in the same week. Also, programs with significant local interest scheduled for repeats may include CALIFORNIA 'S GOLD and ANGLER WEST.

Unfortunately, there are many, many programs available to public broadcasters and too few time slots in the schedule. Coupled with our mission to reach a diverse audience, it becomes difficult to find time slots for all of these available programs, much less find time to repeat them. Indeed, there are almost twice as many programs offered to KIXE-TV from networks, producers, and distributors, then there are air time slots to fill with them. It should be noted that many of the prime time programs, mini-series, and season series seen on KIXE-TV, are repeated in subsequent years. While you may not see a program repeated the same week, chances are, you will have the opportunity to see many major prime time programs repeated in the next year or two. In the final analysis, Public Television repeats many programs many more times than their commercial network counterparts.

KIXE pre-empted my favorite program with an Auction or local production. What happens to these pre-empted programs?

KIXE makes every attempt to move major prime time programs to a later date in the event of a local substitution. While you may not see a program at its' regularly scheduled time, chances are, it will be seen sometime within the next month, if not later the same evening.

What is the difference between Public Television, PBS, CPB and KIXE?

Public Television is a general term that refers to the wing of the television industry that encompasses facilities and personnel employed to make free, over-the-air, public television programming available to the citizens of the United States. Public Television and PBS are not synonymous.

PBS is a specific acronym for the Public Broadcasting System which is headquartered in Washington D.C. and is responsible for distributing a majority (but not all) of the programs to the over 300 individual public television stations across the country. Public television stations also receive programming from four other regional networks, independent producers, foreign distributors, and they produce their own local programs.

The primary thrust for a public television system in this country came from an act of congress. Congress also created the non-profit Corporation for Public Broadcasting or CPB to administer the federal moneys used to fund programs, stations, and other public television related entities. KIXE receives about a third of it's funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

KIXE is a local public television station--affiliated with the PBS network--and funded, in part, by CPB. KIXE provides over-the-air programming to 10 counties in Northern California and is located in Redding.

When will the ANTIQUES ROADSHOW be coming to Northern California?

The "Antiques Roadshow" is not scheduled to come to the Chico or Redding area in the near future. As a rule, "Antiques Roadshow" attracts over 40,000 people and only visits large metropolitan areas.

What is DVS?

Descriptive Video Service (DVS) is a free, national service that adds narrated descriptions of key visual elements such as actions, body language, costumes, scene changes and graphics for public-television viewers who have low vision or are blind. DVS allows visually impaired viewers to follow all the action, suspense, and drama that is normally conveyed visually by following the audio narration. Descriptive Video Service is normally transmitted through a station's SAP channel. (See below.)

What is SAP?

Second Audio Program (SAP) is an additional track of audio provided as part of the standard broadcast signal. It is commonly used to delivers DVS, foreign audio translations or reading services for blind and visually impaired persons. (See above.)

How do I receive these signals?

Most standard stereo TVs and VCRs are equipped with a feature that enables you to receive SAP. This is usually a button/switch on the control panel or on the remote control and is most commonly labeled: SAP, MTS, Audio 2, or Audio B. If you have a satellite dish, select the "alternate video" or "aux audio" button on your remote. If your TV or VCR is not equipped with the SAP feature, you may purchase a SAP receiver.

If you do not wish to receive these signals, be certain that you have selected the "off" mode on the above mentioned controls. The reception of these signals is controlled by the viewer, not KIXE.

How can I get a copy of a program?

Most of the programs we air on Channel 9 are available on videotape. There are different 800 numbers you can call to order programs based on what the program was and who produced it.

I don’t want to buy a copy; can’t you make me one from the tape you have?

Channel 9 only has rights to broadcast the programs we air. We do not have duplication rights, so it is illegal for us to make copies of any programs for our members or viewers.

Do you keep all of the programs you air in your library?

No, our library is relatively small, so we don’t keep a lot of the programs you see on Channel 9. The majority of the programs in our library are fundraising. Also, most programs you see are taken directly from a satellite feed.

How do you decide whether or not to air a program?

We look at lots of different things, but mainly we’re interested in whether a particular program has generated viewer response in the past or whether it has generated viewer response at other public television stations around the country. We also look at whether PBS and other PBS program distributors have "blessed" a program so that it meets the editorial and non-commercial guidelines set down by the FCC. One large segment of viewer response is measured by dollars pledged around a program. In addition, Channel 9 receives requests from independent producers to air their programs, and these must also meet our content, technical, and non-commercial specifications.

Why do you pre-empt or move my program during pledge drives or auctions?

On-air pledge drives are the single most important and efficient way for Channel 9 to raise money. Therefore, we have to move our schedule around in order to make sure we have enough on-air minutes allocated to the fundraising task.

Why do you make last minute changes to the program schedule?

Most times, last minute changes are completely outside of our control. It could be because there were technical glitches rendering the program unusable. It could be because of human error. It could be because PBS or other program distributors discovered at the last minute that something was factually incorrect. Whatever the reason, we, obviously, try to keep these changes to a minimum.

Why do the on-line program guide, the TV Guide, and the local newspapers never seem to agree on what it is that you're airing?

The problem has to do with deadlines. The lead-time for online schedule is about a week or so, whereas the lead times for TV Guide and the local newspaper are two or three weeks. So, it all comes down to when the changes occur and who we have time to notify.

Who do I contact with closed caption concerns?

For all questions concerning closed caption call (530)243-5493 or or contact us by email at captions@kixe.org.

DIGITAL AND HIGH DEFINITION TV

What is the difference between Digital Television (DTV), High Definition Television (HDTV), and Standard Definition Television (SDTV)?

DTV is a new way of transmitting television signals. It replaces analog, the way television has been transmitted for the last 50 years.

When will television stations begin to broadcast in HDTV?

The commercial stations in the nation’s larger cities are already broadcasting at least some programs in HDTV. The public television stations in those cities began some broadcasts in HDTV in 2000. Here in Northern California, commercial stations began airing some programs in HDTV in 2003. KIXE began broadcasting DTV on November, 2003.

No, Digital to analog converters are available to permit your continued use of your present analog TV sets, although the picture quality will not be as good as a true HDTV receiver will produce. As of 2005, analog television receivers are no longer be manufactured and will be phased out.

How much will HDTV television receivers cost?

HDTV television receivers are available for home use in a variety of options with varying price tags. HDTV sets are also available now in flat screen plasma displays. Large screen projectors are also available. Smaller tabletop HDTV receivers are available with prices coming down as set makers begin mass production. There are also special converter boxes available now for under $60 which can allow analog TVs and home computers to receiver and display off-air HDTV signals.

Will I be able to use my present outdoor antenna to receive HDTV broadcasts?

You may be able to use your current outdoor antenna depending on its quality and design. If it will not work, you will need to buy a combonation VHF/UHF antenna to receive the digital signal.

Will there be fringe reception problems with digital broadcasts?

No, the days of "snowy pictures" and fading in and out will end. With digital transmissions, you either get a perfect picture and sound, or nothing at all.

What will KIXE offer when multicasting begins?

We now offer three separate channels of Standard Definition Television when KIXE is not airing a HDTV broadcast. One SDTV channel will be PBS programming, perhaps in 8 hour blocks for the three work shifts, 24 hours a day. A third channel offers the Create channel. At some point in the future KIXE could offer distance learning credit courses, training programs (how to use the new technology and software), and continuing education shows.

Why is this new digital technology necessary? What’s wrong with television as we’ve always had it?

This is a change that has been mandated by the United States Congress. Television, as we’ve known it up until now, has been a passive device. With HDTV, the computer is merging with television. This will create a new "appliance" in your home--one that offers you special interactive elements allowing you to select camera angles when watching a sporting event or concert, opportunities to make or change appointments, vote anywhere in the world, do comparative shopping right from your living room, watch programs when convenient for you, and download movies from community video servers. There’s nothing wrong with your present TV, any more than there was something wrong with records when they were replaced by CD’s. It’s just an improved way of delivering information, education, and entertainment into your home in an interactive way.

What is data-casting and will it be available with digital television?

Data-casting allows the transmission of special information to your home using hidden space in the digital broadcast signal, much as closed captioning does with today’s conventional television. So, KIXE will be able to provide you with stock quotes, sports statistics, school closings, weather bulletins, travel information, electronic newspapers and other educational material to enhance your availability of resources. DTV provides a digital pipeline into your home with a transmission rate up to 500 times that of your PC modem.

What will KIXE provide using HDTV technology?

Public broadcasting is uniquely positioned to bring you the finest in HDTV viewing. Our nature, outdoor programs, and travel shows will be even more spectacular in HDTV. Our quality drama and concerts will come into your home with six-channel, surround CD-quality sound. Our educational programs will provide teachers with new resources designed to enhance the learning process.

Will my favorite programs be available for DTV even though they were produced for analog?

Yes

Why will HDTV programs be rectangular rather than the square picture I now have?

An Analog TV receiver has a picture in a 4:3 ratio--four units wide and three units high. HDTV is broadcast in a 16:9 ratio--16 units wide and 9 units high. HDTV format accepts wide screen movie format perfectly. Movies will be experienced in your home with a clarity and sound quality previously reserved for movie theaters.

What is the key advantage of DTV?

Probably the most important advantage is that it preserves a free, over-the-air television service. DTV will also make it possible for the first time for broadcasters to deliver multiple channels and enhanced data services into your home.

What does DTV mean to KIXE?

It means that we will be better able to serve the Northstate community. A common saying among PBS stations is that the technology has now caught up with the mission, and what that means for KIXE is a tremendous improvement in providing quality educational, informational, and entertaining programs in ways we couldn’t have even imagined just a few years ago.